Stay in touch

You are here

News Briefs

In the absence of government action on deadly paint strippers, retailers are stepping up to protect consumers.

On Aug. 20, Walmart announced it would phase out paint removers containing methylene chloride and N-Methylpyrrolidone (NMP) from its stores and website. Methylene chloride is responsible for more than 50 deaths over the last 35 years, and NMP is linked to fetal development problems, including low birth weight and birth defects.

“It’s great to see Walmart join Lowe’s, Home Depot and others to stop selling these unsafe products,” said Kara Cook-Schultz, director of our national network's Zero Out Toxics program. “We now need strong EPA action that will ensure no more families are affected by these deadly paint strippers.”

In May, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced it would finalize a ban on methylene chloride-based paint strippers after families whose sons died from using the products met with former EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt. Months later, the EPA has yet to make good on its promise—signaling a need for our continued advocacy and organizing on the issue.